Sparano Liking the Efforts of Veteran Jason Taylor

AP has a good article about how Jason Taylor is winning raves from Tony Sparano in camp:

The Miami Dolphins’ new linebacker is making a good first impression at training camp.

Jason Taylor might just make the team.

“The guy’s a tremendous, tremendous pro,” coach Tony Sparano said during the break between Thursday’s two practices. “The guy comes out here, he doesn’t say boo, he works his tail off, goes a million miles an hour.”

Taylor rejoined the Dolphins in May after a year with the Washington Redskins, where he endured an injury-plagued season. At 34 he’s the oldest player on the roster, and this is his 12th year with Miami, but it’s his first with Sparano.

The coach likes what he sees from No. 99.

“I said this today to the team after practice: Having passion to play this game when you’ve been doing it for 11, 12, 13 years says an awful lot to me,” Sparano said. “I still see the tools out there; I’m seeing more and more each day. I like the progress he is making.”

There’s a learning curve for Taylor, who finds himself at a new position playing outside linebacker in the Dolphins’ 3-4 scheme. He was a six-time Pro Bowl selection as a defensive end, and that’s the position he played in 2006, when he was the NFL defensive player of the year.

“There are a lot of things he needs to do still,” Sparano said. “Here’s a guy who played 13 years, and we’re saying that, but it’s a little bit different position.”